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4 opposition lawmakers stripped of immunity in Venezuela

Published Tue Aug 13 2019 00:33:38 GMT+0000 (UTC)

by By SCOTT SMITH

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Legislators loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday stripped immunity from four opposition lawmakers accused of treason amid a struggle for control of the crisis-stricken nation.

The move brings to 18 the number of opposition politicians Maduro's government has threatened with criminal prosecution so far this year.

Socialist party boss Diosdado Cabello oversaw the unanimous vote as head of the National Constituent Assembly, the legislative body stacked with Maduro's allies that rivals the opposition-controlled National Assembly. Its members cheered and waved Venezuelan flags overhead throughout the afternoon session.

"Justice is slow, but it gets to where it has to go," said Cabello, justifying the move depriving lawmakers of immunity from prosecution by saying they had been caught "flagrantly" in the act of criminal activity.

A political battle for control of Venezuela between Maduro's socialist government and opposition leader Juan Guaidó has been playing out since January, when Guaidó launched a campaign with backing from the United States and more than 50 other nations to oust Maduro.

"You're the ones who are traitors, who have left this country in misery and ruin," he said, speaking from an undisclosed location.

Actions taken by pro-Maduro legislators on Monday, however, fell short of warnings a day earlier from Guaidó, who said he had learned the pro-government body would dissolve the opposition-run congress completely and call for an early election.

That quickly raised alarms because the National Assembly has been the last branch of Venezuela's government to remain independent from the control of Maduro's ruling socialist party.

Instead, under Cabello's lead, the National Constituent Assembly formed a commission to consider when the election should be held. He said its members could decide to elect a new National Assembly in the coming days or anytime next year.

The National Assembly's five-year term is set to end in December 2020, and elections are traditionally held in the last month of its session. Maduro has threatened for months to call early parliamentary elections.

In a video streamed on social media late Sunday, Guaidó warned of a new phase of "heightened conflict" and called on members of armed forces, the Venezuelan public and the international community to be aware of the government's "new madness."

"The people of Venezuela should be alert," Guaidó said. "If the dictator decides to continue down this road... of course our response will come from the people."

Members of the National Constituent Assembly wave Venezuelan flags during a session by the legislative body that is stacked with government allies that rivals the opposition-controlled National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. Legislators loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday stripped immunity from four opposition lawmakers accused of treason amid a struggle for control of the crisis-stricken nation, bringing to 18 the number of opposition politicians Maduro's government has threatened with criminal prosecution this year. (AP Photo/Leonardo Fernandez)Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores, right, lead a rally condemning the economic sanctions imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump on Venezuela, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. Supporters of Maduro joined him after he called for protests against the recent moves by the U.S. to tighten sanctions against the ruling authorities. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2015 file photo, reelected opposition congressman Tomas Guanipa greets supporters outside the National Electoral Council in Caracas, Venezuela. On Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, Venezuela’s supreme court stripped Guanipa and two other opposition lawmakers of immunity from prosecution as accused traitors amid rising political tension in the crisis-stricken nation. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2016 file photo, opposition lawmaker Jose Guerra speaks during National Assembly session in Caracas, Venezuela. On Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, Venezuela’s supreme court stripped Guerra and two other opposition lawmakers of immunity from prosecution as accused traitors amid rising political tension in the crisis-stricken nation. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)Members of the National Constituent Assembly wave Venezuelan flags during a session by the legislative body that is stacked with government allies that rivals the opposition-controlled National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. Legislators loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday stripped immunity from four opposition lawmakers accused of treason amid a struggle for control of the crisis-stricken nation, bringing to 18 the number of opposition politicians Maduro's government has threatened with criminal prosecution this year. (AP Photo/Leonardo Fernandez)Venezuela's President of the National Constituent Assembly Diosdado Cabello holds up a sign that in Spanish says "No more Trump, heroic Venezuela" during a session by the legislative body that is stacked with government allies that rivals the opposition-controlled National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. Legislators loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday stripped immunity from four opposition lawmakers accused of treason amid a struggle for control of the crisis-stricken nation, bringing to 18 the number of opposition politicians Maduro's government has threatened with criminal prosecution this year. (AP Photo/Leonardo Fernandez)